Fishing Rock Creek in September
September is a favorite month to fly fish Rock Creek. The summer heat subsides, the days shorten just a bit, and the water cools as a result. The first frost is expected in September.
Everyone has a favorite month here, and for many, September is it. Crisp mornings, sunny afternoons, along with evenings around the campfire, make this time of the year magical.
Keep your floating line on your rod; September offers great dry fly fishing. Hoppers, BWO, and Caddis are the action along with streamers and nymphs. Keeps reading!
September Hatches
The hatches to begin to wind down in September, but certainly not end. Watch for Blue Winged Olive hatches on cloudy afternoons Daily beginning towards the end of the month.
Other hatches could include caddis and tricos in early September while October Caddis hatch late in the month.
Terrestrials paly a big role in a trout’s life. Fish a hopper/dropper starting a 11 am; just a the day warms and the grasshoppers become active.
Rock Creek Flies For September
- Grasshoppers
- Ants
- Elk Hair Caddis
- BWO
- Wooly Buggers
- Soft Hackle Emergers
- CDC Caddis
- Pheasant Tail Flashback BH
- October Caddis
Local fly shops sell these patterns and more.
The Weather
If you are wondering what to pack for a fly fishing trip to Rock Creek, Montana in September, pack it all. You’ll need shorts and t-shirts, rain gear, and a layer of thermal underwear. Hand warmers could be a good idea too. Definately pack the waders but be prepared for days in the 80’s too.
While it can snow during any month here in the northern Rocky Mountains, September is nearly guarenteed in the higher elevations. Snow on the vally floor along the river is a little less likely.
September is considered a summer month here; expect warm weather in the front half of the month, unsettled and cooler the second half. Rock Creek stream flows can be low but often increase with autumn rains. Check here for stream flows.
About Rock Creek
Rock Creek is a freestone river the runs more than 50 miles, south to north, to join the Clark Fork River just east of Missoula, Montana. A Blue Ribbon Trout Stream, Rock Creek boasts 3,000 fish per mile.
Many people come to the creek to fish, however, fly fishing is often the preferred method for angling.
Access along the stream in the Lolo National Forest is unlimited. Outside the National Forest, look for fishing accesses. There are five fishing accesses in the lower river close to the cabins.
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